ViroPharma down on pleconaril data

VPHM was down $48.50 (68 percent) to $23.25 on Tuesday after missing the primary end points in three Phase III trials of pleconaril to treat two indications: viral respiratory infection (VRI) in adults; and viral meningitis in adults and children. Pleconaril is a small molecule binding viral coat protein.

In the VRI study, the primary end point of time to resolution of illness (as measured by absence of runny nose and reduction of other symptoms) was reduced from 9.4 days to 7.7 days (p=0.07) in picornavirus-infected patients on pleconaril. Illness duration was reduced from 9 days to 6.75 days (p= 0.033) in picornavirus-infected patients receiving pleconaril without other cold medications. Objective assessments of VRI, such as mucus production measured by facial tissue use (p=0.03) and sleep disturbance (p=0.025) were reduced. ...